Saving Space for Permanent Teeth with a Space Maintainer

Nov 16th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

space_maintainer

If your little one’s teeth have begun to fall out, and their permanent replacements appear to be lagging far behind, you may wish to consider a space maintainer to minimize future orthodontic work. Believe it or not, the absence of your child’s teeth might seem cute now, but those tiny little gaps can cause deep gouges in your pocketbook as you watch them fill up with teeth that don’t belong there. Space maintainers are simple to use, kids get along fine with them, and they have become the de-facto standard for protecting the cosmetic and functional aspects of your growing child’s mouth.

 

Why Your Child Might Need a Space Maintainer

When a child’s tooth is lost early due to trauma, tooth decay, or nature’s insistence that it drop out before its permanent replacement is due, a space maintainer can be used to hold back the natural inclination of teeth to move forward. Without preventing this movement, teeth that should be in the rear of our mouths end up along the sides, and take up precious real estate destined for another tenant. The result is overcrowding, and in some cases impacted teeth. In the end, it’s always easier to save the space now, then create it later.

 

How They Work

Space maintainers are very similar in purpose and design to an adult “bridge,” but instead of placing artificial teeth over the gap, the space is kept open to accommodate its future resident. At The Dental Center, we make most space maintainers out of metal, (sometimes both metal and plastic), and custom-mold them to the shape of your child’s mouth. In most cases, the maintainer is made up of a metal band attached to a rectangular-shaped wire that butts up against the tooth across the gap. This acts to temporarily preserve the space where the baby tooth once was, so its replacement can erupt without obstruction. To some, the final product looks like an old Radio Flyer® snow sled, or a shoe horn you might use to maintain the shape of unworn shoes.

 

Does My Child Need One?

It’s important to note that dental space maintainers are not required for all childhood tooth loss, and that we’re not going to suggest you create a decade worth of space maintainers as each tooth falls out of your child’s mouth. Our bodies are quite effective at saving space for the loss of our front teeth as well as our incisors – it’s the teeth along the sides of our mouths that tend to cause the majority of complications. Of course, each mouth is different, so be sure to discuss with us the best course of action for you and your child. If your child has recently lost a tooth, or several teeth, and it’ll be awhile before they’re scheduled to see Dr. Gilmer, give us a call at (614) 414-0111 to see if you should come in a little earlier.

Using a space maintainer is an affordable and effective way to ensure your child’s teeth come in where they are supposed to, and when they’re ready. It can have a positive effect on your wallet, reduce the amount of time your child needs to wear braces, and control the cosmetic appearance of your child’s teeth and mouth.

The Perfect Road Map For Your Child’s Oral Health

Sep 15th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Kid Roadmap

On July 3rd, 1806, two years into their journey to chart the uncharted west of America, pioneer explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached a challenge of epic proportion – the Rocky Mountains. What next, they wondered? Without a map, they were forced to do what explorers do – explore, and hope for the best. So, that got us thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a handy map you could use to chart your own dental health? With that in mind, and in honor of our explorers, we at The Dental Center at Easton wanted to share with you a few mile markers you can use to stay on top of your child’s health today, next year, and for years to come!

 

6 to 24 months

When you’re a new parent, life is a whirlwind, and the dental care of your newborn may not be top of mind when you look in their mouths and see no teeth! Here are some things to keep in mind:

Schedule your regular visit: As soon as that first tooth comes in, you’ll want to give us a call at (614) 414-0111 to schedule your regular visit so we can review your next steps and the steps for your child. Also, be aware the ADA recommends fluoridated toothpaste now for all children under the age of three. Don’t wait!

Ask us about:

  • Home hygiene basics: Things like, tips and tricks on brushing and other care. There’s nothing better than having our hygienists give brushing tutorials – they’re experts!
  • Preventative dentistry: The possible need for fluoride supplements
  • Dietary strategies: Achieving a balanced diet early in life for good oral health later
  • Feeding practice awareness: Bottle, breastfeeding, and no-spill training cups
  • Non-nutritive oral habits: Thumb sucking, pacifiers
  • Making Dental Visits Normal: Even from a young age, your child should be very comfortable visiting the dentists. He or she should build that regular habit while young to keep a strong sense of normalcy.

 

2 to 12 years old

Ah, the little ones are growing up. Teeth are coming in at all sorts of crazy angles, and you’re going crazy from the rise in obligations. Here’s a quick list of what to consider during this time frame:

  • Preventative dentistry: Pit and fissure sealants can do wonders for keeping your child’s dental bills down, and their teeth in their head until they’re ready to fall out naturally. Ask us about them. They’re affordable AND useful. And, super-fast, you’ll be in and out in no time.
  • Orthodontic Consultation: Visiting an orthodontist for an early consultation is best done around your child’s seventh birthday. With today’s technology, early intervention can reduce the cost and duration of braces when your child gets older.

 

The Teen Years

The years “everything” happens! As children start to come into their own, new habits and desires begin to unfold as well. You’ll have to address every imaginable concern during these years, from piercings, to calls for whitening, braces, and the need to refer yourself away from your pediatric dentist and to a general dentist for continuing oral care. So, speak with us about:

  • Cosmetic Dentistry: What solutions are advisable now, and what things should be avoided.
  • Teen social pressures: Smoking, alcohol, intraoral/perioral piercings and the like. Believe it or not, we can help a lot with this. Does your teen have a favorite Dental Center hygienist? We might be able to arrange for that person to help when your teen comes in so they can address these concerns with an intermediary they trust. Give us a call at (614) 414-0111 to see how we can help!
  • Orthodontics: Options for minimizing appearance and health problems later in life.
  • Home hygiene tips: Brushing, flossing, choosing the right mouthwash.
  • Craniofacial injury prevention: With your children’s possible participation in sports, you’ll want to get them a mouthguard. Hands down it’ll be one of your best investments in a healthy mouth. And we make great ones here at The Dental Center!
  • Positive Reinforcement: Your teen hears lots of feedback from every direction, but it can be very helpful to hear the benefits of good oral health from a different voice then they hear everything else. We will work hard to reinforce this necessary message with you to your teen!

Staying on top of your child’s oral health isn’t as hard as you think, and if you keep this schedule handy, you’ll be ahead of most of your neighbor’s kids when it comes to a healthy mouth and body. Come to think of it … why not share it with them as well? They’ll thank you for the help.

What Is Tooth Enamel?

Mar 4th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

You may have heard your dentist talk about tooth enamel but do you know what he/she was referring to? We’re going to discuss the important role that tooth enamel plays in your dental health so you can understand how to better take care of your teeth.

dental clinic columbus ohioWhat is Enamel? For starters, tooth enamel can be defined as the highly-mineralized, hard protective outer covering of the teeth. When you look at your teeth in the mirror, what you are seeing is tooth enamel.

Enamel protects the teeth from a variety of factors such as the force of mastication (chewing), and the varying temperatures of the foods and beverages we eat and drink.

Serving as an insulator to the nerves in the teeth, enamel helps us enjoy eating and drinking different foods without pain.

What happens when tooth enamel is damaged? Unfortunately, tooth enamel has no living cells which means that once it is damaged it cannot be repaired.

This is why it is so important to understand the role enamel plays in your oral health and to take steps to maintain the enamel that you do have. If you’re concerned about your dental health, contact our Ohio urgent dental care office.

Steps to Protect Your Tooth Enamel

Even though tooth enamel cannot be regrown or repaired without the use of bonding or a crown, you can take certain steps and modify your behavior in ways that will help you to keep the enamel you do have strong and functioning properly.

  • Avoid drinking high acid, sugary drinks.
  • We hate to break it to you, but we are specifically talking about soda (regular and diet) and fruit juice. Both of these beverages contain highly acidic and sugary ingredients which are the biggest culprits for eating away at healthy tooth enamel. Sports drinks and energy drinks should be avoided for the same reasons.
  • Consume citrus or other acidic foods in moderation. Although citrus foods such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are good for you, they still contain high levels of acid which is an enemy of enamel. If you choose to eat these foods, do so in moderation. You can also try eating these foods first and following with other less acidic foods to help cut down on the acid leftover in your mouth.
  • Chew sugarless gum after eating. Saliva helps protect your enamel by coating the teeth and moving acid and other particles of food out of the mouth and into the stomach. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production and helps this process even further.
  • Address health concerns. Remember, health problems such as acid reflux, gastrointestinal disorders, and other issues may be causing trouble for your oral health. Get these issues addressed as soon as possible to help protect your enamel from being exposed to excess acid.
  • Be careful what you chew. Once enamel is chipped or cracked, it cannot be restored. For this reason it is important that you do not chomp on hard items such as hard candy or ice.

Our dental clinic Columbus Ohio staff care of your tooth enamel care. It may not sound like a high priority but it is something that you should take seriously. It isn’t until your enamel becomes damaged that you will notice the nasty side effects, so take every precaution to protect your enamel while you can.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or pain, that may be a sign that you have damaged tooth enamel that needs to be addressed by a dentist.

Contact The Dental Center at Easton Town Center today at 614-414-0111. We can set up a consultation with Dr. Gilmer to inspect your tooth enamel.

How To Properly Brush Your Teeth

Feb 29th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Brushing your teeth is part of your everyday routine (at least we hope) and probably doesn’t seem like a difficult task.

dentist columbus ohioYou might think that you know how to properly brush your teeth but have you ever been taught the appropriate technique? After all, proper brushing and flossing can help prevent bad breath, cavities, and other dental issues that can cost you money down the road.

We have outlined the steps you need to take to make sure you’re getting the most benefit from brushing your teeth:

  1. First, choose a soft bristled tooth brush that fits your mouth. The head of your brush should be small enough that you can reach all areas of your mouth easily.
  2. Set a timer for two minutes or simply watch the clock to make sure you are spending at least a full two minutes brushing your teeth.
  3. Place your tooth brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and move the brush in a back & forth motion, using short strokes.
  4. Brush the outer surfaces of your top teeth, then the outer surfaces of your bottom teeth.
  5. Brush the inner surfaces of your top teeth, then the inner surfaces of your bottom teeth.
  6. Brush the chewing surfaces of your top teeth, then the chewing surfaces of your bottom teeth.
  7. Tilt your tooth brush vertically to brush behind your front teeth and then do the same to brush behind your bottom teeth. Brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Our dentist Columbus Ohio offices can help you improve your brushing techniques. Simply get in touch with us and we’ll help you make an appointment.

If you follow these steps, you should easily be able to effectively clean all of your teeth. Remember to floss your teeth at least once a day in addition to brushing. Flossing teeth helps remove hard-to-reach food particles and plaque that builds up in between your teeth and can cause tooth decay and other oral problems.

Here at The Dental Center we recommend flossing your teeth in the evening following your brushing routine and after you’re done eating for the day. In order to make sure your tooth brush is effective, replace your brush every 3-4 months or before if there are visible signs of wear such as bent bristles.

We also recommend that you replace your tooth brush following an illness like the flu or a cold, as bacteria can get on your toothbrush and possibly cause reinfection.

Finally, in order to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth, visit your dentist for a routine cleaning every 6 months. Routine cleanings are important for removing built up plaque and checking for oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and other problems that can pop up between dental visits.

To schedule your next cleaning, contact our dentist Columbus office today!

Preparing Your Child for their First Dental Appointment

Oct 8th, 2014
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

For a parent, not much is more stressful than watching your child attempt a difficult challenge for the first time.  That first step, the first word, that first round of shots and even that first dental appointment.  Here at Easton Dentist, we want to make that first appointment as stress-free as possible.  Below are some tips to prepare your child (and you!) for that first appointment.

  1. Talk about it…

…and talk about it often!  New experiences are significantly less frightening when a child has been familiarized with what is going to happen.

  1. Be Calm!

Children take their cues from their parents.  If you’re calm, it will help them be calm, too.

  1. Answer Questions Positively

Your child is guaranteed to have questions.  Explaining what to expect in positive terms will lead to a familiarity that will carry over.

  1. Beware of Your Word Choice

The majority of dental check-ups don’t hurt so be very careful not to use that word!  Even saying “it won’t hurt” will place the word in a child’s mind when they may not have even thought of that at all!

  1. Read a book with a positive dental experience

Again, familiarity is key.  A picture book that takes a friendly character through a standard dental appointment will introduce your child to the procedures they’re likely to encounter and help alleviate their fears.

New experiences can be scary for anyone.  The dentists at Easton Dentist want your child to have a smooth and fearless first visit.  Contact us today when you need a pediatric dentist and we’ll help you get your child on the path to great dental health.

The Youngest Teeth

Aug 25th, 2014
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Are you looking for a new pediatric dentist Columbus Ohio provider? We see a whole range of family members come through our Easton dental office everyday.   In one chair sits a teenager with braces tapping away on her iPhone while next to her a doting mother holds her ten month old son covered in drool and shaking a rattle.   Across the lobby is an elderly woman in for a denture assessment thoroughly enjoying the sight of the cooing infant.

At The Dental Center, we see the whole life cycle of teeth and believe in a family model of dental care.   Everyone in the family should have a clear routine for dental hygiene that teaches the next generation good health practices.   No time in the development cycle of teeth is as important as those very first crowns popping through your toddler’s mouth.

Taking your small child to the dentist within six months of the first teeth breaking through is important to develop preventative care strategies and ensure the dental development is progressing normally.   Early checkups like these can often correct problems that can develop years down the road.

Pediatric Dentist Columbus Ohio & Teething

You should start to see your baby’s first white caps around 6 months of age, sometimes as early as 3 months.  Everyone has their own schedule so don’t panic if the first teeth don’t show themselves until the first birthday.  If you are concerned about a delay, make an appointment with our friendly staff and one of our expert Easton dentists we’ll make sure everything is healthy and normal.

Pediatric Dentist Columbus Ohio & Discomfort

While the typical teething process is not disruptive to the baby’s mood or health, most children will show normal signs of discomfort.   These include excessive drooling and chewing on toys to massage the sore gums.  If particularly sensitive, your child may get moody and grumpy but this is only for the first day or two of the tooth showing itself.

We don’t recommend a liberal use of Baby Oragel or other chemical numbing agents during the teething stage.  A bit now and then seems to be relatively safe but the best soothing agent for a teething baby is a cold teething ring or soft chewable toy.

If anything concerns you or seems out of the normal, don’t hesitate to contact our Easton dental office.  We look forward to seeing new patients who are just sprouting their first beautiful white teeth and work hard to maintain a lifelong relationship with you and your family.